Natural in LVT is shorthand for an oak, or occasionally ash, plank designed to mimic an unfinished or oil-finished solid timber floor with no stain, smoking or liming. The colour is the mid-honey of European oak, the grain is visible but not exaggerated and the surface is usually embossed in register with the print, so it reads as authentic wood rather than an obvious vinyl.

Yes, natural oak is the core of the natural colour family. It gives the true mid-tone honey-oak that most people picture when they think of a wood floor. Karndean Art Select has the deepest natural oak library with more accessible natural oak in Karndean Van Gogh, Knight Tile and GF LVT and premium options in Amtico Signature.

Natural oak LVT is designed to look like unfinished solid oak with visible grain and a texture embossed in register with the print, so at finished-floor scale it is very close to the real thing. The advantage is that it is waterproof, more scratch and dent resistant, warmer underfoot and far lower maintenance than a real timber floor.

No. Natural is one of the easiest colours to live with because the mid-tone grain hides fine scratches, dust and footmarks better than pale or dark floors. A regular sweep or vacuum and an occasional damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner keeps it looking its best with no sanding, oiling or sealing.

Natural is the most universal colour in LVT and works in almost every room. It is strongest in a lounge, dining room, hallway and kitchen, the safest choice for an open-plan floor running through several rooms and the most forgiving in a home with children or pets. The only rooms where another colour may be better are very small dark rooms (light) and large tall-ceilinged period rooms (dark).

Because the grain hides wear so well, a 0.3mm wear layer is right for a normal family home. Step up to 0.55mm for a busy kitchen-diner or hallway where you want the longest appearance retention and to 0.7mm only for multiple large dogs or a holiday let.